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BRUINS NOTEOOK

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Updated Nov 21, 2009 3:30 PM ET
     
 
BUFFALO - Byron Bitz did not get mentioned as one of the three stars in the Bruins' 2-1 overtime win against the Sabres last night. He should have been No. 1. After a terrific night not just grinding, although he did that well, but also playmaking, the big winger set up linemate Milan Lucic for a goal with a nice 2-on-1 pass, and also made two or three other great feeds that could easily have been goals. ``He was hungry,'' said linemate Steve Begin. ``He wanted the puck, he held on to it and made plays. He was one of our best players. Every game we see something from him. He'll pull a move, make a nice play. He's good with the puck when he takes his time, keeps his head up.'' Coach Claude Julien loved Bitz and his line. ``He was dominant out there, and that line really played well,'' said Julien, who may have to bust up the trio when top center Marc Savard returns to the lineup in St. Louis on Monday night after missing 15 games with a broken foot. ``We've got to think about who we're going to put with Savvy. ``We've got some tough decisions to make. We've got our best point-producer coming back, and you've got to supply him with some players if you want to get some production.'' Savard skated hard for about an hour yesterday morning. ``That will have given (Savard) 4-5 days of skating, and we'll all feel confident he's ready to go,'' said Julien. ``The plan is for him to play in St. Louis and right now there's no reason that shouldn't happen.'' Thomas sits again Goalie Tim Thomas remained in a backup role because of an unknown injury that popped up in Atlanta. Julien hopes Thomas will be ready to play in a few days. Tuukka Rask stepped up, making 25 saves in the win. . . . Rookie winger Brad Marchand is back in Providence, but the 21-year-old, demoted yesterday after playing his first 12 NHL games with the Bruins , can go down confident he should return before long. ``We liked his camp and he did a pretty good job earlier on,'' said Julien of Marchand who had one assist during his stay. ``But he tapered off. That's a young player gaining some experience. Now we want him to take that experience to Providence. I think he had lost a little bit of confidence with the puck and wasn't as creative offensively. But he did a great job penalty killing. I think he's going to be a good player for us in the very near future.'' The Bruins also placed veteran forward Trent Whitfield on waivers for the purpose of sending him to Providence. Whitfield was scoreless in seven games. Wideman improves Before Dennis Wideman played well and earned two assists in the B's 4-3 shootout win against Atlanta, general manager Peter Chiarelli expressed support for the struggling defenseman. ``He hasn't played as well as he played last year, and we need more from him,'' said Chiarelli. ``I know Dennis is genuine about how he plays and how he cares about the team, and I know with the skill he has, he will properly harness it. I know that. I have had some talks with him. He has been pressing a little bit, but again, I think he'll find his game.'' . . . Surviving 50 of the previous 54 opposition power plays, the Bruins' penalty-kill climbed to third in the NHL, though Buffalo was 1-for-2 last night.
Tagged: Tim Thomas, Marc Savard, Bruins, Dennis Wideman, Byron Bitz, Trent Whitfield

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